Commander of the U.S. Revenue cutter in Charleston Harbor turns his vessel over to South Carolina

Captain Napoleon L. Coste, commander of the eighty ton U.S. Revenue Cutter William Aiken, paid off his crew in Charleston Harbor, turned over his vessel to South Carolina authorities, and hoisted the Palmetto flag.  Lieutenant J. A. Underwood, who remained loyal, reported that Coste had previously told him that he would not serve in the Republican Administration and would resign.  He gave no indication, however, that he would make the Aiken, of limited value and powered only by sail, one of the first units of the Confederate Navy.  (By John Osborne)